Support frame for structured cabling system

ABSTRACT

A support frame ( 10 ) for a cabling trunk assembly ( 1 ) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the support frame ( 10 ) has a main body ( 11 ) defining a mounting surface ( 41 ), and a first extension leg ( 50 ) extending along a first side edge ( 42 ) of the main body ( 11 ) and away from the mounting surface ( 41 ). Similarly, the support frame ( 10 ) can be provided with a second extension leg ( 52 ) that extends along a second side edge ( 44 ) of the main body ( 11 ) and away from the mounting surface ( 41 ). The extension legs ( 50, 52 ) may be provided with tabs ( 54, 56 ) to provide a secure connection with receiving grooves ( 28, 29 ) on a channel ( 12 ) of the cabling trunk assembly ( 1 ). The extension legs ( 50, 52 ) may also be configured to provide a snap-fit connection with the receiving grooves ( 28, 29 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/832,480, filed Jun. 7, 2013, entitled “Support Frame for StructuredCabling System,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/836,520, filedJun. 18, 2013, entitled “Support Frame for Structured Cabling System.”The disclosures of U.S. 61/836,520 and U.S. 61/832,480 are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Structured cabling installations, such as those commonly utilized inwork area portions of office network environments, can include cablingtrunk assemblies to which connector housings are attached. Suchconfigurations allow for cabling within the trunk assemblies to berouted to various connectors in the housings. For example, a connectorhousing may have a co-axial jack, a data jack, and/or a telephone jackwherein the associated cabling is housed within the trunk assembly.Commonly, trunk assemblies are provided in the form of a c-shapedchannel wherein a removable cover is placed over the open face of thechannel. Installers frequently field cut openings in the removable coverin order allow for access between the channel and the connector housing.Also, some known solutions provide a support frame that is connected tothe back of the channel which can interfere with the internal routing ofthe cabling within the channel. Improvements are desired.

SUMMARY

A support frame for a cabling trunk assembly is disclosed. In oneaspect, the support frame connects to the cabling trunk assembly andprovides a mounting surface for a face plate and a connector housingsuch that cabling within the trunk assembly may be connected to theconnector housing. In one aspect, the cabling trunk assembly includes abody defining a c-shaped channel having a first open face wherein afirst receiving groove extends along a first side of the open face and asecond receiving groove extends along a second side of the open face. Inone aspect, the support frame has a main body defining a mountingsurface extending between opposite first and second side edges andextending between opposite third and fourth side edges. The mountingsurface may include a central aperture for allowing cabling to be routedfrom the channel to the connector housing.

In one embodiment, the support frame includes a first extension legextending along the main body first side edge and extending away fromthe mounting surface wherein the first extension leg is configured forinsertion into the first receiving groove. Similarly, a second extensionleg parallel to the first extension leg and extending along the mainbody second side edge and away from the mounting surface may be providedwherein the first extension leg is configured for insertion into thesecond receiving groove. The first extension leg may be provided with afirst tab configured to provide a secure connection with the firstreceiving groove. Likewise, the second extension leg may be providedwith a second tab configured to provide a secure connection with thesecond receiving groove. In one embodiment, the first extension leg andthe first receiving groove are configured to engage with each other in asnap-fit connection and the second extension leg and the secondreceiving groove are configured to engage with each other in a snap-fitconnection.

The support frame may be provided with at least one threaded opening,for example two threaded openings, in the mounting surface for securingthe face plate to the support frame. Also, the face plate may beprovided with at least one threaded opening, for example two threadedopenings, for securing a connector housing to the face plate. In oneembodiment, the threaded openings in the face plate are offset from thethreaded openings in the support frame to prevent interference betweenfasteners associated with the threaded openings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with referenceto the following figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale,wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout thevarious views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a an exploded perspective view of a support frame systemattached to a trunking system channel body having features that areexamples of aspects in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled trunking system andsupport frame system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support frame of the support framesystem connected to the channel body shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the support frame and channel body shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the support frame and channel body shown in FIG.3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the support frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the support frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the support frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the support frame shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a sheet of material usable for forming thesupport frame shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto.Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are notintended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possibleembodiments for the appended claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a support frame system 5 including a supportframe 10 for attachment to the channel body 12 of a trunking system 1 isshown. In general, the channel body 12 is configured as a c-shapedchannel and functions to protect and conceal cabling routed within thechannel body 12. Non-exclusive examples of cabling are co-axial cabling,copper based cabling, fiber optic cabling, and electrical power cabling.As configured, the support frame 10 provides a support surface for aface plate 14 which in turn supports a connector housing 16. Theconnector housing 16 can be configured to include receptacles or jacks18 for receiving connectors, such as fiber optic adapters and copperbased plugs data used in data and telecommunications applications.Non-limiting examples of suitable receptacles are RJ type jacks (e.g.RJ-11, RJ-45, etc.), co-axial cable jacks (e.g. CATV jacks), fiber opticconnectors (e.g. LC, SC, MTP, etc.), D type connectors (e.g. DE-15,DA-15, etc.), and other types of connectors that may be used forcommunication or power transmission purposes. To facilitate the passageof cables from the channel body 12 into the housing 16, the face plate14 and support frame 10 are each shown as having a central aperture 38,40, respectively.

In one aspect, the face plate 14 is attached to the support frame 10 viafasteners 30 while the housing 16 is attached to the face plate 14 viafasteners 34. As shown, fasteners 30 are threaded screws that arereceived and secured into threaded openings 32 located on the supportframe 10. Similarly, fasteners 34 are threaded screws that are receivedand secured into threaded openings 36 located on the face plate 14.Other types of fasteners may also be used without departing from theconcepts presented herein. In one aspect, the location of the threadedopenings 32, 36 are offset to prevent interference between the fasteners30, 34. It is noted that connector housing 16 may also be directlyattached to the support housing 10 without the use of a face plate 14,if desired.

The trunking system may also be provided with removable covers 20, 22located adjacent the support frame 10 for covering the open face 13 ofthe channel body 12 such that the interior of the channel body 12 can beconcealed. In one aspect, the removable covers 20, 22 can be generallyflush with or slightly recessed from side portions 12 a, 12 b of thechannel body 12. In one embodiment, the covers 20, 22 can be providedwith extension legs 24, 25 having tabs 26 to facilitate a securesnap-fit connection with an indented portion 28 a, 29 a of correspondinggrooves 28, 29 in the channel body 12.

As most easily seen at FIGS. 4-9, the support frame 10 includes a mainbody 11 defining a mounting surface 41. Mounting surface 41 is forsupporting a face plate 14 which may be adapted for a particularconnector housing 16. The mounting surface 41 can also be provided todirectly support a connector housing 16 or other types of terminaldevices, such as one or more electrical duplex sockets. As discussedpreviously, the mounting surface 41 can have a central aperture 40 toallow for cabling to extend through the main body 11. The centralaperture 40 also allows for portions of the connector housing 16 and/orfaceplate 14 to extend through the support frame main body 11 and intothe channel body 12.

In one aspect, the mounting surface 41 extends between a first side edge42 and a second side edge 44 opposite first side edge 42 such that theside edges 42, 44 are parallel to each other. In another aspect, themounting surface 41 extends between a third side edge 46 and a fourthside edge 48 opposite third side edge 46 such that the third and fourthside edges 46, 48 are parallel to each other.

As shown, a first extension leg 50 is provided on the support frame mainbody 11 along the first side edge 42 of the mounting surface 41. Asconfigured, the first side edge 42 extends in a direction that isorthogonally away from the mounting surface 41. Similarly, a secondextension leg 52 is provided that extends along the second side edge 44and also extends in a direction that is orthogonally away from themounting surface 41. The first and second extension legs 50, 52 areconfigured to be received in the receiving grooves 28, 29 of the channel12 such that the support frame 10 can be directly mounted to the channel12 without any portion of the support frame 10 extending into theinterior volume 15 of the channel 12.

To add rigidity to the extension legs 50, 52, and to provide a roundedsurface for easier insertion into the receiving grooves 28, 29, eachextension leg 50, 52 may be provided with an upturned portion 50 a, 52 athat adds material thickness to the extension legs 50, 52. Also, and ascan be seen at FIG. 4, the upturned portions 50 a, 52 a extend up to theindented portion 28 a, 29 a of the receiving grooves 28, 29 (i.e. in adirection towards mounting surface 41). This configuration provides fora snap-fit type connection in which the receiving groove indentedportion 28 a, 29 a initially expands away from the extension leg 50, 52as the extension leg 50, 52 is being inserted, and then snaps backtowards its original position once the upturned portion 50 a, 52 a hasextended past the indented portion 28 a, 29 a.

To further secure the support frame 10 to the channel 12, the firstextension leg 50 may be provided with a first tab 54 that extends awayfrom first extension leg 50 and towards the mounting surface 41.Likewise, the second extension leg 52 may be provided with a second tab56 that extends away from second extension leg 52 and towards themounting surface 41. In one aspect, the tabs 54, 56 are provided at anangle A1 with respect to the respective extension legs 50, 52 such thatthe tabs 54, 56 provide a lateral force against the receiving grooves28, 29. In the example embodiment shown, angle A1 is about 157 degreesalthough other angles are possible without departing from the conceptsprovided herein.

The support frame 10 may also be provided with a first extension member58 and a second extension member 60. The extension members 60 areprovided to add rigidity to the support frame 10 resulting in animproved mounting platform for the faceplate 14 as the faceplate 14 isattached to the support frame 10 with fasteners 30 near the extensionmembers 58, 60. As shown, the first extension member 58 extends awayfrom the mounting surface 41 at aperture 40 near the third side edge 46while the second extension member 60 extends away from mounting surface41 at aperture 40 near the fourth side edge 48.

With reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the support frame 10allows an installer to cut the channel covers 20, 22 to length such thatthe covers 20, 22 may be installed adjacent to the respective side edges46, 48 of the support frame 10. This configuration removes the necessityto cut openings in the covers 20, 22 in order to provide access into theinterior volume 15 of the channel 12. Rather, the installer simply needsto install covers of an appropriate length alongside the desired numberof support frames 10.

With reference to FIG. 10, the support frame 10 can be formed from asingle, intially flat sheet of material 62 having a generally constantthickness. In one example, the material sheet 62 is a metal materialsuch as carbon steel and the sheet has a thickness of about 1 millimeter(mm). As configured, the finally formed support frame 10 has a width W1,a length L1, and a height H1. In the example embodiment shown, the widthW1 is about 79.5 mm, length L1 is about 70 mm, and height H1 is about13.3 mm. However, many other dimensions are possible to accommodatedifferent channel body 12 sizes and/or various types and sizes ofconnector body 16 styles.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimsattached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made without following the exampleembodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, andwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.

PARTS LIST

-   1 cabling trunk assembly-   5 support frame system-   10 support frame-   11 support frame main body-   12 channel body-   12 a channel body first side face-   12 b channel body second side face-   13 channel open face-   14 face plate-   15 channel interior volume-   16 connector housing or body-   18 connector housing jacks-   20 cover-   22 cover-   24 extension leg-   25 extension leg-   26 tabs-   28 receiving groove-   28 a receiving groove indented portion-   29 receiving groove-   29 a receiving groove indented portion-   30 fastener-   32 threaded opening-   34 fastener-   36 threaded opening-   38 face plate central aperture-   40 support frame central aperture-   41 mounting surface-   42 first side edge-   44 second side edge-   46 third side edge-   48 fourth side edge-   50 first extension leg-   50 a upturned portion-   52 second extension leg-   52 a upturned portion-   54 first tab-   56 second tab-   58 first extension member-   60 second extension member-   62 sheet material

What is claimed is:
 1. A support frame for installation in a cablingtrunk body, the support frame comprising: (a) a formed metal main bodyhaving a mounting surface extending between opposite first and secondside edges and extending between opposite third and fourth side edges,the main body including a central aperture; (b) a first extension legextending along the main body first side edge and away from the mountingsurface to a first end, the first extension leg being configured forinsertion into a first receiving groove of the cabling trunk body, thefirst extension leg including an upturned portion at the first end; (c)a second extension leg parallel to the first extension leg and extendingalong the main body second side edge and away from the mounting surfaceto a second end, the second extension leg being configured for insertioninto a second receiving groove of the cabling trunk body, the secondextension leg including an upturned portion at the second end; (d) afirst tab formed as part of the first extension leg and extending at anangle away from a part of the first extension leg, the first tab beingconfigured to retain the first extension leg within the first receivinggroove; and (e) a second tab formed as part of the second extension legand extending at an angle away from a part of the second extension leg,the second tab being and configured to retain the second extension legwithin the second receiving groove.
 2. The support frame of claim 1,further comprising at least one threaded opening in the mounting surfacefor securing a face plate to the support frame.
 3. The support frame ofclaim 2, wherein the support frame has two threaded openings in themounting surface for securing the face plate to the support frame. 4.The support frame of claim 1, wherein the main body, first extensionleg, and second extension leg are integrally formed from the same sheetof material.
 5. The support frame of claim 1, wherein the main body,first extension leg, the second extension leg, the first tab, and thesecond tab are integrally formed from the same sheet of material.
 6. Thesupport frame of claim 1, wherein the support frame is made from a metalmaterial.
 7. The support frame of claim 1, wherein the first extensionleg is configured for a snap-fit connection with the first receivinggroove and the second extension leg is configured to provide a snap-fitconnection with the second receiving groove.